An Israeli citizen reported Sunday evening that three Palestinians tried to kidnap him from a hitchhiking stop at the Eli Junction, near Ramallah. The man was unharmed.
Security forces set up roadblocks in the area and arrested three suspects, Hamas members. The three were taken in for questioning.
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The incident began Sunday evening, when three Palestinians arrived at the hitchhiking stop in a red Fiat. According to the citizen's report, the three tried to persuade him to enter the car, but he refused and they escaped.
The man quickly reported the incident to security forces, who were dispatched to the area and set up roadblocks. Near the Birzeit Junction, Border Guard forces stopped a vehicle which met the description provided by the Israeli man.
The three Palestinians who were sitting in the car were in possession of pistols and ammunition. The three were taken in for questioning.
The Palestinians, however, said that the three men were car thieves arrested by security forces.
The defense establishment again called on Israeli citizens not to hitchhike. According to the Israel Defense Forces, there are quite a few warnings on terror organizations' plans to kidnap Israeli citizens. About two months ago, the IDF issued tapes among West Bank settlers, explaining why it was dangerous to hitchhike.
In December it was cleared for publication that a group planning to kidnap Jews in the Jerusalem area was arrested. Three Hamas member were detained in November by the Shin Bet, the IDF and the Jerusalem police. According to the defense establishment, the three were planning to abduct an Israeli and demand the release of Palestinian prisoners jailed in Israel.
The group members were arrested after purchasing weapons and planning to kidnap additional members, including a driver from Jerusalem. Large sums of money and a Kalashnikov rifle were seized during the investigation.
Ali Waked contributed to the report
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